Hydraulic reflector arc



Oct. 5, 1937. H. w. BAKER 2,094,867

HYDRAULI C REFLECTOR ARC Filed Aug. 24, 1936 INVENTOR,

A TTORNE Y5.

Patented Oct. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to are lamps of the character wherein a pair ofcarbon-electrodes are employed and maintained in proper spaced-apartrelation, to the end that desired brilliancy of the art is constantlyproduced.

The primary object of the invention is the provision, in such a device,of combined hydraulic and electrical means for automatically maintainingthe ends of the carbon-electrodes in predetermined, desired, spacedrelation.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of means, forautomatically maintaining the ends of the carbons apredetermineddistance apart, which means is controlled by electrical elementsreceiving current through'a circuit including the carbon-electrodesthemselves, whereby the amount of electrical energy reaching thecontrolling elements is governed by the distance between saidcarbon-electrodes.

A yet further aim is to provide novel structure for embodying theinvention that is simple and rugged, will perform the dutiescontemplated, and will be inexpensive to make and operate.

Other objects of the invention include the details of construction,which will be fully described in the following specification, referringto the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the entire hydraulic reflector arcmechanism and system.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, detailed, sectional view, taken on line II-IIof Fig. 1, and,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, sectional view through oneof the bellows forming a part of the manifold and valve controllingmeans.

Structures contemplated by this invention might advantageously be usedin connection with moving picture projecting machines and otherilluminating devices wherein a pair of carbonelectrodes are employedthat must be moved toward or from each other as the intensity of the areat the ends of the carbon-electrodes varies. Efiicient and reliablemeans, controllable by the actual arc itself or distance apart of thecarbonelectrodes is, therefore, desirable and such means is illustratedherewith.

The carbon-electrodes B and 8, of conventional character and reinafterreferred to as carbons", are mount within a lamp housing Ill vbefore a.suitable reflector I2. Obviously, carbons 6 and 8 might be positioned asshown or disposed at an angle to each other. Carbon 6 is carried in aholder l4, in connection with piston l6, through the medium of rod I8,and piston I8 is reciprocably contained in cylinder 20. Any suitabletrack element 22 may be employed to permit rectilinear reciprocation ofcarbon 6. In some instances, however, track 22 may be altered to movecarbon 6 toward and from associated carbon 8 through a path other than astraight one. A similar holder 24 carries carbon 8 and is likewise inconnection with a piston 26, having two faces 28 and 36, against whichthe later described liquid under pressure may exert a force. Holder 24is carried by a. suitable track 32 so that carbon 8 may also be movedtoward and from carbon 6 and, in the instance exemplified, this movementis through a straight rectilinear path.

The element employed for actually imparting force to pistons 16 and 26is oil or other suitable fluid that is maintained under pressure by apump 84 in connection with a manifold 36, provided with a centralcompartment 38 and end compartments 40 and 42 respectively.

A pipe 44 is directly connected to that part of manifold 36 whichcreates a central compartment 38 at its one end, and with one end ofcylinder 20 at its other end. Thus, as pump 34 is operated, continuouspressure is exerted against piston 16 so that carbon 6 will bemaintained in a fixed position. A control valve 46 is interposed in pipe44 between its ends to govern the flow of liquid under pressure which ismaintained against piston [6.

A pipe 48 connects one end of cylinder 50, which contains piston 26, andcompartment 40 of manifold 36. Another pipe 52 connects the other end ofcylinder 50 with the other compartment 42 so that liquid under pressuremight exert a force alternately or simultaneously against faces 28 and30 of piston 26.

Unique means for governing the amount of liquid under pressure whichpasses through pipes 48 and 52 is provided. A valve member 54 controlsthe amount of liquid passing from pump 84 through pipe 52 and a similarvalve member 56 likewise controls the amount of liquid passing'from pump34 to pipe 48. Each of these valve members 54 and 56 is in connectionwith a 'bellows 58 and 60 respectively. These bellows form a part ofcompartments 42 and 40 respectively and merely constitute means forallowing members 54- and 56 to function without loss of liquid.

Ports 62 and 64, controlled by valve members 54 and 56 are opened andclosed as the latter are moved. A pair of escape ports 66 is provided inmanifold 86. One port 66 is in communication with compartment 40, whilethe other. port is in communication with compartment 82. Valve members68 control these ports 66 and move with valve members 54 and 56.

Means is provided to move bellows 58 and 88 and the associated partsjust described. This means is in the form of a yoke 18 in connectionwith a solenoid 12 having the conventional reciprocable core 14. Link16' establishes connection between yoke 10 and core M, and a spring i8yieldably urges link and core toward one end of a path of travel. Thesolenoid is in circuit with carbons 6 and 8 and a source of supply is inconnection with wires 80 and 82 which are connected to holders i4 and241 respetcively.

The circuit, therefore, may be traced as follows: from the. source ofSupply, not here shown, wire 80, wire 84, coil 72, wire 86, and thenceback to the source through wire 82. The control coil I2 may be either inseries or across the arc, or any electrical combination of the two, solong as the distance apart of the ends of carbons 6 and 8 have a directbearing upon and will vary the amount as the distance is increased ordecreased.

The operation of the device is apparent, and it is obvious to oneskilled in the art that movement on the part of yoke 18 will allowrelated amounts of liquid under pressure to pass into cylinder 50 andthereby maintain piston 26 at a proper place therein. A pressurerelief-valve 88 is used and the entire mechanism may be encased in theliquid sump from which pump 34 obtains its supply.

A set screw 88 is adjustably mounted in one end of yoke 10 so that thebellows 58 and 60 might move independently of the yoke and alsotherewith. Set screw 88 abuts bellows 58 and therefore is capable ofcollapsing it in one direction only.

It is conceivable that other electrode elements may be positioned uponthe mechanism that moves with the two carbons 6 and 8 so that therelative positions of these electrode elements will have a bearing uponthe amount of current passing through the coil of solenoid 12 to therebyperform the same duty as the mechanism herein described. Because of thenature of the system contemplated by the invention, it is possible toembody the same in devices having widely varying characteristics and,therefore, it is desired to be limited only by the spirit of theinvention and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention,v what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured. by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a pair of carbons, means maintaining the endsthereof a predetermined distance apart comprising a movable holder foreachcarbon; a piston in connection with each holder; a cylinder for eachpiston;

means supplying liquid under pressure to the cylinders; and meanscontrolling the supply of liquid to relatively move the carbons throughthe medium of the pistons.

2. The combination with a pair of carbons, means maintaining the endsthereof a predetermined distance apart comprising a reciprocable holderfor each carbon; a piston in connection with each holder; a cylindercontaining each piston; a pump supplying liquid under pressure to thecylinders; a pipe joining the pump and one of said cylinders at a pointto supply liquid under pressure to move the piston in one direcam ss?tion; a pair of pipes joining the pump and the other cylinder at otherpoints to supply liquid under pressure to alternately move the piston intwo directions; and means controlling the passage of liquid underpressure through the said two pipes.

3. The combination with a pair of 'carbons, means maintaining the endsthereof a predetermined distance apart comprising a reciprocable holderfor each carbon; a piston in connection with each holder; a cylindercontaining each piston; a pump supplying liquid under pressure to thecylinders; a pipe joining the pump and one of said cylinders at a pointto supply liquid under pressure to move the piston in one direction; apair of pipes joining the pump and the other cylinder at other points tosupply liquid under pressure to alternately move the piston in twodirections; means controlling the passage of liquid under pressurethrough the said two pipes; and means causing a predetermined constantamount of liquid under pressure to pass through the pipe joining thepump and. first mentioned cylinder.

4. In a hydraulic feeding system for arc lamps, a pair of carbons; aholder for one of the carbons; a piston in connection with the holder; acylinder containing the piston; a pump supplying liquid under pressureto the cylinder; a pipe joining the pump and cylinder on each siderespectively of the piston; and means simultaneously controlling theflow of liquid under pressure through both of said pipes.

5. In a hydraulic feeding system for are lamps,

a pair of carbons; a holder for one of the carbons; a piston inconnection with the holder; :2. cylinder containing the piston; a pumpsupplying liquid under pressure to the cylinder; a pipe joining the pumpand cylinder on each side respectively of the piston; and means forsimultaneously controlling the flow of liquid under pressure throughboth of said pipes, said means being movable to relieve pressure whenthe arc length is correct whereby to cause the associated carbon toremain in a predetermined spaced relation to the other carbon, saidcontrolling means having an electrically operated driving member inelectrical connection with the two carbons.

6. In a hydraulic feeding system for are lamps, a pair of carbons; aholder for each carbon; 9. piston supporting one of the holders; a.cylinder containing the piston; a pump supplying liquid under pressureto the cylinder; a pipe joining the pump and cylinder on each siderespectively of the piston; a valve in each pipe controlling the amountsof liquid under pressure passing therethrough; a solenoid simultaneouslyopening and closing the valves; and an electrical circuit, having asource of current, connecting the said solenoid, and pair of carbons.

7. In a hydraulic feeding system for are lamps, a pair of carbons; aholder for each carbon; 9. piston supporting one of the holders; 2.cylinder containing the piston; a manifold provided with a central andend compartments and escape ports in communication with the endcompartments; a pump in connection with the central compartmentsupplying liquid under pressure thereto; a pipe joining one endcompartment and the said cylinder on one side of the piston; anotherpipe joining the other end compartment and the said cylinder on theother sideof the piston; a valve between the said central compartmentand each end compartment respectively controlling the flow oi'liquidunder pressure; and common means simultaneously closing one valve andopening the other and vice versa, said means serving to open and closesaid escape ports.

8. In a hydraulic feeding system for are lamps, a pair of carbons; aholder for each carbon; a piston supporting one or the holders; acylinder containing thepiston; a manifold provided with a central andend compartments and escape ports in communication with the endcompartments; a pump in connection with the central compartmentsupplying liquid under pressure thereto; a pipe joining one endcompartment and the said cylinder on one side of the piston; anotherpipe. joining the other end compartment and the said cylinder on theother side of the piston; a valve between the said central compartmentand each end compartment respectively controlling the flow of liquidunder pressure; and

common means simultaneously opening and closing the said valves andopening and closing said escape ports comprising a solenoid moving themeans in one direction, a spring moving the means in the oppositedirection, and a circuit having a source of electrical current inconnection with the solenoid and carbons, whereby the distance betweenends of the carbons governs the amount 01' current passing to saidsolenoid.

HARRY W. BAKER.

